A six-year-old boy in Steinbach, DeMari Disna, is spending his remaining summer days indoors following a collision with an electric bike. The incident occurred while he was with his sisters and friends on a walking trail near a soccer park close to his home. DeMari sustained broken tibia and fibula in his left leg and had to wait 19 hours for a soft cast at Bethesda Regional Health Centre before being transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg for a hard cast.
DeMari’s mother, Shannon Broesky, mentioned that despite coping well, her energetic son is already feeling bored as he will have to refrain from activities like using his new trampoline and bike received for his birthday in July. The family often frequents the park, where the accident took place, with Broesky expressing concern over the lack of regulation surrounding such incidents until it personally impacted her child.
In response to the incident, Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor expressed wishes for DeMari’s swift recovery and emphasized the government’s commitment to reviewing and updating regulations to ensure public safety. Steinbach’s mayor, Earl Funk, acknowledged the dangers posed by e-bikes and highlighted the need for enhanced regulations and educational initiatives following the accident involving DeMari.
The City of Morden has already implemented its own bylaws, including mandatory helmet use and adherence to traffic signals, to regulate electric vehicles. Mayor Nancy Penner stressed the importance of provincial support in establishing consistent guidelines, especially concerning age restrictions for e-bike and e-scooter usage. She emphasized the need for clear rules to ensure safety on public pathways and roads.
Broesky, while not seeking legal action, emphasized the importance of accountability and understanding in light of the incident involving her son. She expressed forgiveness and highlighted the need for responsible behavior and adherence to regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.